The USDA is reminding specialty crop growers that assistance is available for producers who incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses.
The assistance is available to those producers who obtain or renew a food safety certification through the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops program, according to a news release. Producers can apply for assistance on their calendar year 2023 expenses through Jan. 31, 2024.
The program covers a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s cost of obtaining or renewing its certification, as well as a portion of related expenses, the release said.
To be eligible for the program, an applicant must be a specialty crop operation; meet the definition of a small business or very small business; and have paid eligible expenses related to the 2023 certification, the release said.
Specialty crop operations may receive assistance for the following costs:
- Developing a food safety plan for first-time food safety certification.
- Maintaining or updating an existing food safety plan.
- Food safety certification.
- Certification upload fees.
- Microbiological testing for products, soil amendments and water.
Program payments are calculated separately for each category of eligible costs, according to the USDA. A higher payment rate has been set for socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers, the release said. Details about payment rates and limitations can be found at farmers.gov/food-safety.
Specialty crop producers can also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee, the release said.
